How Human Behavior Can Affect the Sustainability of Park Resources
“Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.” These lyrics from the song Big Yellow Taxi, written by legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, sound a warning about the delicate nature of the environment. And this is a warning that park managers throughout the United States have taken note of as they try to balance the protection of the natural resources found at park sites with the need to ensure equitable and inclusive public access to these spaces. This can be a challenging task given the fact that popular, sought-after recreation spots can easily become overcrowded. A large influx of crowds at a park can produce traffic, noise, and litter. Overcrowding can degrade the natural environment of parks and disrupt the habitat of native vegetation and wildlife. Too many park visitors can also increase the risk that a dangerous encounter with a wild animal (such as bison, elk, or bear) will take place. This can happen when park trails are too crowded, prompting people to take a detour which may unexpectedly place them into the territory of a wild animal that could attack to defend its home.
A crowded park can ruin the overall recreational experience for all visitors. People come looking for a quiet escape into the great outdoors only to find a lengthy line of cars awaiting entry into the park. Balancing the recreational use of green spaces with the need to protect the finite resources found in these areas requires park managers to adopt policies and processes that encourage people to behave responsibly and in a manner that does not harm these places. The goal is to preserve and protect these areas so that current and future generations can enjoy these spaces. Sammie Powers, assistant professor in the Recreation Management and Sport and Recreation Studies programs within the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management at George Mason University, recently discussed how human behavior affects the recreational experience at parks.
National Park Recreation Visits and Visitation Patterns
Managing the number of visits to this nation’s parks is essential in providing patrons of these spaces with a positive recreational experience. According to the National Park Service (NPS) Social Science Program, recreation visits to this country’s more than 400 national park sites exceeded 325 million in 2023. This represents a year-over-year increase with 297 million recreation visits recorded for 2021 and 312 million recreation visits for 2022.
In addition, testimony from NPS presented at a 2022 Congressional hearing noted that the agency has observed changes in visitation patterns at its park sites with visits remaining at constant levels throughout the year. This is a departure from previous trends showing peak and off-peak seasonal fluctuations in visitation patterns. Another metric indicating that more people are visiting national parks is the substantial number of reservations being made on Recreation.gov. This site is the U.S. government’s centralized travel planning and reservation platform for outdoor recreation activities at federally managed destination spots across the country including park sites operated by NPS.
The environmental, cultural, and historical significance of national park sites needs to be preserved.
Recreationists emphasize that the increased number of people visiting parks year-round highlights the importance of protecting the natural resources of these spaces from the potential degradation and ecological damage that can result from overuse and overcrowding. They point out the significant role of parks, wilderness areas, and green spaces in contributing to a sustainable planet, especially in combatting the adverse impacts of climate change. It is well known that the leaf canopy of trees and green spaces provide “ecosystem services” by producing a cooling effect that moderates excessive heat and hot temperatures that occur during the summer months.
In addition, many park sites hold historical and cultural significance. The NPS manages a network of park sites in the U.S. that offer a wealth of information on the heritage and lived experiences of the diverse populations that are part of America’s history. Through educational programs and exhibits, these sites tell the story of individuals and events that figured prominently in this country’s past. The preservation of these sites is critical in ensuring that these stories will continue to be heard by future generations.
‘Leave No Trace’
The protection and preservation of parks requires changing human behavior so that people act responsibly when visiting these sites. A framework known as ‘Leave No Trace’ consists of seven principles that guide people in taking actions that will leave the condition of parks and wilderness areas unchanged after they visit. The principles in this framework are designed to encourage people to be stewards of the parks and the protected areas they use. This fosters a personal sense of belonging and attachment to the parks. When this kind of connection is made, people are more likely to be intentional and proactive in protecting the parks and wilderness areas they visit. They may also be more inclined to engage in volunteer activities aimed at helping to sustain the natural beauty and wonder of these sites.
The ‘Leave No Trace’ framework principles are managed by a nonprofit group that goes by the same name. The organization says that the principles are not static but instead are continually updated to reflect the latest insight from biologists, land managers, and leaders in outdoor education. The principles include: 1) plan ahead and prepare; 2) travel and camp on durable surfaces; 3) dispose of waste properly; 4) leave what you find; 5) minimize campfire impacts; 6) respect wildlife; and 7) be considerate of others.
To learn more about degree offerings in the Recreation Management and Sport and Recreation Studies programs within George Mason University’s School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management, please visit the websites of these programs.